Who Is Amber McLaughlin, First Openly Transgender Woman To Be Executed In The US?

Amber McLaughlin, 49, was convicted of stalking and killing a former girlfriend before dumping her body along St. Louis’ Mississippi River. McLaughlin’s fate was sealed earlier Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, when Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined his mercy request.

McLaughlin chatted softly with a spiritual counselor by her side when the deadly dose of pentobarbital was administered.

McLaughlin closed her eyes and took a few long breaths. She was pronounced dead a few minutes later.

Who Is Amber McLaughlin, First Openly Transgender Woman To Be Executed In The US?

Amber McLaughlin, the first openly transgender woman killed in the United States, died by lethal injection in Missouri on Tuesday night.

According to the Missouri Department of Corrections, McLaughlin died at the Eastern Reception, Diagnostic, and Correctional Center in Bonne Terre at 6:51 p.m.

In 2006, she was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Beverly Guenther, and a judge sentenced her to death after the jury couldn’t agree on a punishment.

After advocates raised worry about her sentence, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson denied clemency on Tuesday.

“McLaughlin is a vicious criminal,” Parson said Tuesday in a statement. “Ms. Guenther’s family and loved ones deserve serenity. McLaughlin’s sentence will be carried out in accordance with the Court’s order, and justice will be served.”